Rain cap guard and lock for exhaust pipes

ABSTRACT

This is an attachment for vertical exhaust pipes embodying a lid or cover to prevent accidental entry of foreign matter into the exhaust systems of engines, a counterbalance feature to minimize exhaust pressure required to force open the lie or cover, guard rails to protect the lid or cover from being damaged by bushes or tree limbs, and a locking feature to prevent vandals from introducing foreign matter into the exhaust system. The attachment is built in two parts which are mated on the exhaust pipe and bolted in place, forming a single functioning unit.

United States Patent 1 Baader et a1.

1 Nov. 12, 1974 1 1 RAIN CAP GUARD AND LOCK FOR EXHAUST PIPES [761 inventors: Earl E. Baader, Rt. No. 1, Nelson,

Wis. 54756; Ronald M. Schlosser, Rt. No. 2, Durand, Wis. 54736 [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 244,569

[52] US. Cl. 220/85 P, 137/382, 220/32 [51] Int. Cl. 365d 25/00, F161 35/00 [58] Field of Search 220/85 P, 85 K, 3| R, 88 A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 110,829 11/1871 Couzens r v t 137/382 659,285 10/1900 Boyce.... 137/382 2,339,930 1/1944 Howick 220/85 P 2,694,358 11/1954 Taylor 137/5276 7, Nickle 220/85 P 4,917 9/1966 3.27 Tolhert, Sr 137/527!) Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Allan N. Shoap [57] ABSTRACT This is an attachment for vertical exhaust pipes embodying a lid or cover to prevent accidental entry of foreign matter into the exhaust systems of engines, a counterbalance feature to minimize exhaust pressure required to force open the lie or cover, guard rails to protect the lid or cover from being damaged by bushes or tree limbs, and a locking feature to prevent vandals from introducing foreign matter into the exhaust system. The attachment is built in two parts which are mated on the exhaust pipe and bolted in place, forming a single functioning unit.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing; Figures RAIN CAP GUARD AND LOCK FOR EXHAUST PIPES Back Ground Of The Invention This invention relates to protective devices designed to prevent accidental entry, or intentional insertion of foreign matter into the exhaust systems of engines; in particular, to an attachment for engines employing vertical exhaust systems.

For engines that are equipped with vertical exhaust pipes, precautions must be taken to prevent the accidental entrance of foreign matter such as rain, sleet,

snow and the like. Water, in appreciable quantity,

could penetrate into the cylinders of the engine, and could, by affecting a hydraulic lock, seriously damage the pistons, connecting rods, or crankshaft. Rust and emulsification of the oil caused by the water, would tend to have a detrimental effect on the engine and could reduce the service life thereof.

Additionally, engines that are equipped with vertical exhaust pipes are particularly vulnerable to acts of vandalism whereby foreign matter such as sand, gravel, fluids, etc., is introduced into the exhaust system when the vehicle is unattended. In some cases of vandalism, serious damage to the engine occurs. The insertion of a volatile fluid into the exhaust system could endanger the operator.

As a solution to this problem, in some cases, when the vehicle is not in use, the exhaust pipe is covered by canvas or by an inverted tin can. Vehicle operators often fail to attach these protective devices. To pre- I ofcarbon on the working mechanism and the drain port, may adversely affect the operation of these devices, hence additional maintenance may be required.

Other attachments utilize baffle arrangements or combination baffle and slide arrangements that are activated by exhaust pressure. These mechanisms may be susceptible to a carbon buildup which tends to prevent satisfactory operation.

Stillother attachments utilize a lid or cover type of device. The lid or cover is provided with a counterbalance and is moveable between a horizontally closed position to a near vertical open position. This form of device has the disadvantage of being unprotected from being damaged by overhead limbs, bushes, etc. Lid

' damage is a frequent occurrence on bulldozers operating in bushy or forest areas.

The principal object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved exhaust pipe cover attachment.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a lid or cover type exhaust pipe attachment which has a counterbalance to minimize exhaust pres sure required to open the cover.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide said attachment with guard rails to protect said cover from being damaged by tree limbs, bushes, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide said attachment with a locking arrangement to prevent damage from being caused by the elements, or from acts of vandalism.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide an attachment comprised of simple parts that are easily formed and assembled in the manufacturing process.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide an attachment that is strong, durable, and requires no additional maintenance once it is installed.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an attachment, the functioning of which is not affected by carbon deposit buildup characteristic of prolonged engine operation. These, together with otherobjects and advantages, which will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Brief Description Of The Figures FlG.l is a side elevation view illustrating the mounting of the annular brackets, and the alignment of the holes in the guard rails and counterbalance.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the mating of the'counterbalance with the central guard rail.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the brush guard and rain cap lock with the lid or cover in the open position.

Description Of The Invention With reference to the figures, the embodiment of the present invention is comprised of two major assemblies l3, 14, which, when assembled together on the exhaust pipe 15 form a single functioning unit. The lower annular bracket assembly 14 has three guard rails 9, 10, 11,

attached which are joined'for mutual support by a reinforcing cross member 16. The guard rails are permanently joined with the annular bracket on one side 6 and by means of a bolt 8 through spacers 1 2 on the opposite side. To provide an adequate envelope of protected coverage for the lid or cover 1 from tree limbs, bushes, etc., the external guard rails 9, 11, are fonned at an angle extending beyond the outside diameter of i said lid or cover. For the locking feature, three holes 5-, in line, are provided in the guard rails 9, 10, 11. The lower annular bracket assembly 14 is clamped to the exhaust pipe 15 by means of a bolt 7.

The upper annular bracket assembly 13 is joinedwith the lid or cover 1 by means of a hinge pin 3. A combination counterbalance and locking mechanism 2 is an integral part of the lid or cover 1. The counterbalance is folded on itself to form a slot 18 and has two holes 19, in line, for installation of a padlock. At assembly on the exhaust pipe 15, the slot in the counterbalance is mated with the central guard rail 10. The upper annular bracket is positioned on the exhaust pipe 15 with the holes in the counterbalance l9 aligned with theholes in the guard rails S on the lower annular bracket 14,.

and clamped in place by means of a bolt 4.

The operation of the rain cap guard and rain cap lock should now be apparent. With the lid or cover unlocked, when the engine is started, exhaust gases emitting from the exhaust pipe act against said lid or cover, forcing it open. Because of the counterbalance weight, the force required to open the lid or cover is minimal. Movement of the lid or cover in the vertical plane is restricted by the inside edge of the counterbalance coming into contact with the attaching bolt 17. When the vehicle is to be left unattended for extended periods of time, a padlock is placed through the mating holes in the guard rails and the counterbalance mechanism, thereby preventing movement of the lid or cover.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim is this:

I. A combination rain cap and rain cap guard rail device for engines employing vertical exhaust pipes comprising a first and second assembly adjacent to each other to form a single operating unit, said first assembly comprising a cover, a counterbalance and a first annular bracket, said counterbalance extending perpendicularly to said cover, and having an opening therethrough, said first annular bracket joined to said cover by means of a hinge pin connected through the counterbalance whereby the cover is able to pivot, said first bracket adapted to be attached adjacent an opening of an exhaust pipe, said second assembly comprising a second annular bracket and guard rails, said second annular bracket being spaced below said first annular bracket on said exhaust pipe and having said guard rails extending upwardly from one side of said second annular bracket to encircle said first assembly and connecting at a common point on the other side of said second annular bracket, said rails having aligned holes therethrough and being so arranged that when said cover is in a closed position the opening through the counterbalance is aligned with the holes in said rails.

2. The rain cap and guard of claim 1 wherein said guard rails comprise three rails in a spaced angular relationship to each other with the outer rails formed at an angle so that the outer extremities thereof exceed the outside diameter of said cover. 

1. A combination rain cap and rain cap guard rail device for engines employing vertical exhaust pipes comprising a first and second assembly adjacent to each other to form a single operating unit, said first assembly comprising a cover, a counterbalance and a first annular bracket, said counterbalance extending perpendicularly to said cover, and having an opening therethrough, said first annular bracket joined to said cover by means of a hinge pin connected through the counterbalance whereby the cover is able to pivot, said first bracket adapted to be attached adjacent an opening of an exhaust pipe, said second assembly comprising a second annular bracket and guard rails, said second annular bracket being spaced below said first annular bracket on said exhaust pipe and having said guard rails extending upwardly from one side of said second annular bracket to encircle said first assembly and connecting at a common point on the other side of said second annular bracket, said rails having aligned holes therethrough and being so arranged that when said cover is in a closed position the opening through the counterbalance is aligned with the holes in said rails.
 2. The rain cap and guard of claim 1 wherein said guard rails comprise three rails in a spaced angular relationship to each other with the outer rails formed at an angle so that the outer extremities thereof exceed the outside diameter of said cover. 